Needle-straightening machine



A. ALTMAN.

NEEDLE STRAIGHTENING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 14, 1918.

Patented Dec. 7, 1920.

16 SHEETS-SHEET 1- A. ALTMAN.

NEEDLE STRAIGHTENlNG MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED rs.14. 191s.

Pateted Dec. 7, 1920 v 16 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

1 O LIV M e v n Patented Dec. 7, 1920.

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A. ALTMAN.

NEEDLE STRAIGHTENING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I4. I9Is. 1,361,515.

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WMM/woo `A. ALTMAN.

NEEDLE STRAIGHTENING MACHINE.

. APPLICATION FILED ma. 14. 19m. 1,361,515.

W k NWN A. ALTMAN.

NEEDLE STRAIGHTENING MACHxNE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 14| 1918. 4 1,36 1 ,515. Patented Dec. -7, 1920.

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` A. A-LTMAN.

NEEDLE SERAIGHTENING MACHINE.

' APPLICATION FILED FEB. I4, 1918. 1,361,515.

Patented Dec. 7 1920.

' I6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

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.NEEDLE SIRAIGHTENING MACHINE.

APPLlcArloN FILED FEB. r4. 1918.

Patented Dec. 7, 1920,

16 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

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NEEDLE STRAIGHTENING MACHINE.

APNIC/111011 FILED 1513.14. 1918.

1,36 1 ,5 1 5 Patented Dec. 7, 1920.

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A. ALTMAN.

NEEDLE STRAIGHTENING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILI-:D FEB. I4, I9I8.

PaIenIed Deo. 7,1920.

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, A ALEMAN NEEDLE STRAIGHTENING MACHINE.

` APPLCTlON FILED FEB. 14| |9|8 1,361,515. Patented Dec. 7, 1920.

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`APPLICATION FILED FEB. I4, 1918.

Patented Dee. 7, 1920.

I6 SHEETS-SHEET Il.

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A. ALTMAN.

NEEDLE STHAIGHTENING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.14.1918. l1,3615 1 5 Patented Dec. 7, 1920.

16 SHEETS-SHEET l2` A. ALTMAN.

NEEDLE STRAIGHTENING MACHINE.

APPucATloN FILED FEB.14. 191s.

1,361,515. l Patented Deo. 7, 1920.

I6 SHEETS-SHEET l3- A. ALTMAN.

NEEDLE STRAIGHTENING MACHINE.

APPLlc/mon msn rss. 14. 191s.

Pmna Dfwh 7,1920.

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N A E jg A. ALTIVAN.

NEEDLE STRAIGHTENING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 14| 1918. v I A I 1,361,515. Patented Dec. 7, 1920.

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NEEDLE STRAIGHTENING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 14. |918.

1 ,36 1 ,5 1 5 Patented Dec. 7, 1920.

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W a f l wuentoz narran srArMENT orifice.

ALEXANDER ALTMAN, OF TORRINGTON, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE TORRING- TON COMPANY, OF TORRINGTON, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

NEEDLE-STRAIGHTENING MACHINE.

1,351,515. Specification of Letters Patent. IztiJ-)Ilted DBC. 7, 1920.

Application filed February 14J 1918. Serial No. 217,182.

To all fio/tom t may concern. ing in combination, a movable needle sup- .lt lmouwn that I, ALEXANDER iL'riuAN, port, a straightening hammer controlled by 55 a subject or the Emperor of Austriadiuna highly sensitive needle crook detecting gary, residingat rlorrington, in the county mechanism, means for' revolving the needle or Litchfield, btate of Connecticut', have induring the straightening operation, means vent certain new and userul Improve for feeding the needle to the movable needle ments 1n Needle-Straightening Machines, ot 4 support, and means for discharging the nee- 60 which the 'ollowing is a description, reieidie therefrom after it has been straightened.

ence being had to the accompanying drawlith these and other objects in view the ing and to the figures or reference marked invention further consists in the combina- .h weer, i tion and arrangement of the several parts of This invention relates to certa-in new and the mechanisms hereinafter described and 65 usei'ui improvements in needle straiglitenpointed out in the appended claims. e ing machines, and conten'iplates more espe- In the accompanying drawings which cially the production oi a mechanism for show by way of illustration my improved removing the curves or crooksin round needle straightening machine, shank needles. Figure l is a perspective view thereof. 70

Attempts have been made to successfully Fig. Qris a side elevation looking from the remove the curves or crooks in sewing maopposite side to that of the foregoing View. chine needles, but these have been attended Fig. 3 is an end elevation from the driving iitli certain inaccuracies and complications end oi the machine. due to inadequate sensitiveness oi the needle Fig. 4l is a vertical sectional view through 75 crook detecting devices. The known forms the machine, illustrating the movable needle at present comprise sliding blocks or wedges, support, straightening hammer and assothe sides of which are adapted to slidingly cia'ted needle crook detecting mechanism,

coperate with associated members for reguand the needle feeding hopper.

lating the degree of the blow given by the Fig. 5 is a plan view ot the machine with 80 straightening hammer. These blocks or 'he needle hopper removed.

. c.. wedges have a tendency to stick by reason lig. Gris a horizontal sectional view, illusot their trictional resistance, and thereby ti'atingthe cam shaft and controlling levers, inaccurately transmit the proper setting for portions of the bed of the machine being determining the strength of the blow ot' the broken away. 85 straightening hammer. Y Fig. 7 isa detailed vertical sectional View t is an object ot this invention to overon the line 7-7 of Fig. 2. Q

come these diiiiculties now experienced and F ig; 8 is a vertical longitudinal sectional A provide a needle straightening machine havview. on the vline 8-8 of Fig. 5, illustrating ing a highly sensitive mechanism capable the needle revolving mechanism and its rela- 90 ci" detecting all oi' the various crooks or tive reciprocation in full and dotted lines.

curves found in a needle and subsequently Fig. 9 is a detailed vertical longitudinal 40 eifect the positive actuation o'i the straightf sectional view on the line 9--9 ot' Fig. 6,

ening hammer causing it to deliver' blows illustrating the cam and lever control for according to the'degree of the curve or permitting the actuation oi' the straighten- 95 crook. i ing hammer.

Another object ci this inventionV is the Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional view production of a needle straightening ma through the cam and lever control illuschine having apositive needle crook detecttrated in Fig. 9. ing mechanism' including av ball member de- Fig. l1 is a detailed vertical longitudinal 100 signed to slii-tably adjust itself between cosectional view, illustrating the cam and operating anvils for determining the levercontrol for reciprocating the needle strength ofthe blow to be imparted to the revolving means; and the clutch for conneedle by the hammer. trolling theoperation of the machine.

',inother object oi' the invention is topro- F 12 is a detailed yend elevation oi' the 105 duce a needle straightening machine includneedle support, and the controlling levers Y the needle support and the mechanism for lrevolving the needle therein during the straightening operation.`

Fig. 17 is a similar view with parts removed, illustrating the manner in which the needle revolving belt is lifted from the needle when the latter is not being straightened.

Fig. 18 is a transverse sectional view through the needle hopper and feeding drum, illustrating the manner in which the needle is delivered to the needle support.

Fig. 19 is a transverse sectional view showing the endless belt for revolving the needle while being straightened.

Figs. 20, 21, 22 and 23 are detailed views of the cooperating flanged members associated with the driving pulley of the endless belt.

Fig. 24 is a detailed perspective View vof the straightening head, illustrating an operation of the needle support, the straightening hammer, and the needle crook detecting device.

Fig. 25 is a detailed horizontal sectional view through the supporting shaft Vof the needle crook detecting device. v

Fig. 26 is a transverse vertical sectional view on a line 26-26 of Fig. 24 through the straightening head.

Fig. 27 is a similar view on a .line 27-27 of Fig. 24.

Fig. 28 is a detached perspective view of the blow and hammer levers.

Fig. 29 is a detailed perspective View of the needle dischargingV chute, showing Vthe manner in which the straightened needles y are ejected with their shanks heading downclamp shown in Fig. 30.

to be inserted in the needle hopper for accomplishing the same purpose.

1,5se1,5i5

a relatively movable vibrating hammer.V

The needle is first brought inwardly, and then retracted slowly beneath the vibrating hammer. rlhe straightening opera-tion begins at a point near the shank of the needle and continues as the needle is retracted, ending at the point thereof. i

The needle crook detecting device is designed to contact with the plate of the needle and transmit all curvatures or crooks therein to a relatively vmovable ball member which is. designedl to positively determine the degree of the blow imparted to the needle by the hammer during the straightening operation. signed to freely roll between cooperating anvils. At each vibration of the lhammer This ball member is de-V however, it is momentarily gripped in a positive Ymanner between the anvils, at a point determined by the needle crook detecting device. The position. of thisl ballV member between the coperatiiig anvils determines the degree of the blow Vof the hammer transmitted to the needle, the intensity of the said blow being in proportionto the amount'of the curvature orrcrook in the needle.

During the straightening operation the needle is revolved by means ofv an endless beltadapted. to pass over the vshank of the needle. This endless belt is mounted to reciprocate in timed relation with the needle support and is adapted to be lifted from the shank of the needle at times other than dui-` ing the straightening operation,vas will here- Y inafter appear.

` Upon the completion of the straightening of the needle, the needle support is given an' oscillatory Ymovement and the needle is discharged through a suitable chute 'leading to the usual needle receiving pan.

The embodiment of my invention herein setforth comprises among other things, a reciprocating needle support, a needle straightening head including a vibrating hammer, a needle crook detecting linger and an anvil or block upon which the needle is straightened; a revolving mechanism including an endlessv belt for rotating the needle during .the straightening operation, means for feeding the needles from a suitable hopper` to the needle support; andV means for ejecting the straightened needles and delivering them to the needle receiving pan. l

Referring to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, the machine comprises a bed 1, mounted upon standards or legs, which latter may be suitably secured to any form of table or bench support. Mounted to reciprocate within the bed 1 is a cylindrical needle support 2, the lower portion of which is adapted to move within a longitudinal semi-cylindrical recess 3 formed in the bed of the machine. Suitable bearings 4 and 5 are secured to the bed of the machine, and serve to retain and guide the needle support 2. (See Figs. 1, 2 and 4.)

Needle support.

The needle support is provided at one end thereof with a needle retaining block or die 6 secured by means of a screw 7 within a recess formed in the needle support. The needle retaining block 6 is provided with a groove 8 into which the major portion of the shank of the needle is designed to seat while the remaining portion thereof protrudes beyond this V groove and is arranged to be wiped by an endless belt 9, which serves to retain the needle within the V groove and revolve the same during the straightening operation, as will be hereinafter described. A spring 8a may be secured to the end of the needle support 2, and serves to steady the needle in the V groove 8 when the endless belt 9 is not in contact with it.

The needle support 2 is provided intermediate the length thereof with la reduced portion 10 into which extends the .forked end 11 of an actuating lever 12. The lever 12 may be pivoted to the bench or table support at 13, and is provided with a roller 14 cooperatively associated with the cam 15 secured to a suitable cross or cam shaft 16. The cam 15 is provided with a gradually increasing rise or surface 17, the purpose of which is to bear against the roller 14 and thereby gradually retract the needle support beneaththe vibrating hammer during the straightening operation. (See Fig. 4.) At points 18 and 19 0n said cam at the beginning and ending of the rise 17, are dead rest portions for permitting a slightly continuous vibration of the hammer near the shank and point ends respectively of the needle blade, The cam 15 is also providedwith a nose 20. the purpose of which is to retract the needle support after the straightening operation. when discharging the straightcned needle and receiving another needle from the feeding drum to be straightened. je suitable springV 21 is interposed between the lever 12 and a suitable support or clamp 22, which serves to lreep the roller 14 against the cam 15, and thereby actuate the needle support when presenting a needle beneath the vibrating hammer to be straightened.

Needle feeding mechanism.

'lhe unstraightened needles are fed to the needle support by means of an intermittently rotated feeding drum 23 keyed to one end of the shaft 24 mounted in the bearing 4 secured to the bed of the machine. (See Figs. 4 and 18.) The feedin drum 23 is provided with a series of notches or needle seats 25 into which a needle is delivered from a suitable hopper 26 secured to a bracket 27 which in turn issecured to the upper portion of the bearing 4. The feeding drum 23 is provided with an annular recess or groove 28 into which extends the end of a spring 29 secured to the bed of the machine at 30 (see Fig. 18.) This spring is designed to accentuate the delivery of the needle from one of the notches 25 into the V groove 8 formed in the needle retaining block 6. A shield 31 is secured to one side of the hopper, and is arcuately associated with the periphery of the feeding drum 23 for retaining the needles in the notches or seats 25 until delivered to the needle support.

The'needle feeding drum 23 is intermittently rotated in the direction of the arrow shown thereon in Figp18, by a mechanism now to be described.

Referring to Figs. 1, 3, 4, 7 and 8, the shaft 24 is provided with a loosely mounted ratchet 32 adapted to be rotated by means of a spring pressed pawl 33 pivoted at 34 upon an arm 35 supported upon the shaft 24. Secured to the outer end of the Shaft 24 by means of the screws 36 is a collar 37 in which are carried a series of spring pressed pins 38, the outer ends of which are rounded or curved and adapted to normally engage correspondingly curved recesses 39 formed in one side of the ratchet 32. (See Fig. 4.) By this construction it will be seen, that motion, when transmitted to the ratchet through the action of the pawl 33, will normallyactuate the shaft 24. Should, however, a needle iam, or otherwise interfere with the proper rotation of the needle drum, it will be seen that the ratchet to which positive motion is transmitted will move. thereby pressing the spring pressed pins 38 out of thev recess 39 in the ratchet, thereby allowing this mechanism to slip without affecting the other mechanisms of the machine.

Motion is transmitted to the spring pressed pawl 33 by a mechanism now to be described. Provided in the arm 35 to which the pawl 33 is pivoted, is a slot 40 into which projects a pin 41 carried by a vertically movable rod 42 mounted in an opening 43 of the bed 1. (See Fig. 8.) Extending upwardly from the rod 42 is a smaller rod 44 to the outer end of which is connected a spring 45, the end of which latter is secured at 46 to the bed of the machine. The smaller rod 44 extends downwardly into `an opening formed in the rod 42 and is adjustably secured therein by means'of a screw 47, which permits of regulating the tension of the spring 45. (See Fig. 7.)

The lower end of the rod 42 is designed to rest upon the outer end of a lever 48 pivoted at 49 to a bracket 50 depending Afrom the bed of the machine. (See Fig. 8.

A roller 51y is carried by the lever 48, and 1s cooperatively associated with a cam 52 adjustably secured to the cross or cam shaft 16. The cam 52 is provided with a high portion 53 which when passing beneath the roller 51 serves to elevate the rod 42, thererod 42 against the lever 48 which in turn keeps the roller l carried thereby, against the cam 52. Y

By .this construction it will be seen that as the cam 52 is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown thereon in F ig. 8, the successive lifting and lowering of the lever 48 will impart a vertical reciprocatory motion to the red 42 thereby oscillating the arm and pawl 33 and relatively impart inter- .r mittent motion to the shaft 24 and feeding drum 23 carried thereby.

Needle straightening mechanism.

The mechanism for straightening 1 the needle comprises a hammer 55, a needle crook detecting device 56, and an associated anvil or block 57 upon which the needle is straightened. Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 24 to 28 inclusive, the straightening mechanism comprises a head or block 58 secured to the bed of the machine by means of screws 59. Pivotally mounted within this block on a rock shaft 60 is the hammer lever 61 carrying the hammer 55. The hammer is adjustably mounted by means ofthe screw 62 upon the reduced arm 63 of the hammer lever. A striking nose 64 is secured to the hammer 55 by means of a screw 65. The opposite arm 66 of the hammer lever is split and is adapted to be secured to the rocked shaft by means of a screw 67.

Secured to the rock shaft 60 is a coperating blow lever 68 having an arm 69 through which passes an adjusting screw 70 and a fastening screw 71 adapted to adjustably attach the hammer lever 6l to the blow lever 68. (See Fig. 28.) The blow lever 68 is formed with the depending split arm 72 which permits of it being clamped to the rock shaft 60 by means of the screw 73,

as vshown in Fig. 4. pon the lower end of the arm 72 of theblow lever is secured an impact nose 74 secured thereto by means of the screw 75. This impact nose 74 of the blow lever is coperatively associated with a blow wheel 76 keyed to a shaft 77 journaled in bearings 78 provided on an adjustable slide 79 positioned upon the upper surface of the bed 1. The blow wheel 76 is provided with a series of proj ectionsor teeth 80, the functions of which are to successively strike the impact nose 74 of the blow lever thereby oscillating the rock shaft 60 and imparting a vibratory motion to the hammer 55 as will be presentlyV described.

The slide 79 which carries the blow wheel 76 is secured to the bed 1 of the machine by means of the locking screw 81 adapted to pass through a slot 82 formed in said bed for holding the slide thereon in adjusted position. (See Fig. 2.) The slide 79, and in turn the blow wheel 76 are adjustable with relation to the blow lever 72 by means of the screw 83 extending into the slide 79 being held in a relatively fixed position in .the bifurcated end 84 of a bracket 85 secured j to the bed of the machine.- (See Figs. 1 and 2.)

The blow wheel 76 which is keyed to the shaft 77 is continuously rotated in the direction of the arrows shown thereon in Fig. 4, when the machine is in operation. Motion is imparted to the blow wheel by means of the spiral gear 86 keyed to the V shaft 77, and adapted to mesh with a similar gear 87 secured to the main shaft 88 of the machine. This main shaft 88 and the transmission of the power to the machinewill be described hereinafter.

The blow lever 72 is provided with an upwardly extending arm 89 to which is secured an anvil 90 by means of a screw 91. This anvil 90 is provided with a groove 92 of semi-cylindrical formation in cross section. l coperating anvil 93 is relatively positioned in proximity to the anvil 90 and is secured to an upwardly extending projection 94 of the head 58, by means of a screw 95.

This anvil 93 is provided with a groove 96 of semi-cylindrical formation in cross section, said groove being arcuately formed about the ypivotal support of the needle end thereof a ball member 100.` This ball 

